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Lady Liberty Reopens For 4th of July

The huddled masses are coming back. Lady Liberty is open for business again — the guest of honor for a July 4 celebration months after Hurricane Sandy flooded the island and walloped nearly everything but the statue itself. The 14-foot surge from the hurricane, which ravaged the metropolitan area, covered about 75 percent of Liberty Island, tore apart its docks and pathways, and shut down water and sewer systems.

The hurricane hit on Oct. 29, one day after the 126th anniversary of the statue’s dedication. The iconic tourist attraction had been closed for about a year for renovations — and had reopened only the day before. “We’re delighted to reopen the Statue of Liberty to the public, especially after something so major,” said John Warren, spokesman for the Statue of Liberty National Monument. “We not only want to repair the damage to the walkways and the electrical system, we want to make smart repairs as well.”

Warren said the water which stormed across the island never touched the statue or the pedestal where it is perched. A strong iron framework — created by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower — enabled the statue to withstand the storm’s intense winds, according to the National Park Service. But the island’s docks were reduced to splinters, red bricks were torn from pathways, storage garages were all but razed, and transformers were knocked out.

Nearby Ellis Island will remain closed for now. The cost of repairs to both islands could reach $60 million, officials said. With summer-vacation season in full swing, the reopening couldn’t have come at a better time. The National Parks Service and the vendors that operate on the island lost millions of dollars in ticket, concession and souvenir sales. Among those on hand will be Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, Mayor Bloomberg, New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez and National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis.

Tourists seeking last-minute tickets could be out of luck. A spokesman for Statue Cruises, which sells the Statue of Liberty tickets, said access to the crown is completely sold out for today. Presales for pedestal access are also sold out, but there will be in-person sales for access to that area today. Tours are booked until next week, and the crown is booked until August, officials said.

“Guests always ask about the Statue of Liberty,” said Oksana Samkova, 27, a concierge at the Double Tree Hilton. “They get disappointed when they can’t see it. It’s something everyone wants to see, especially overseas guests.” “It’s a good idea to open in July,” said Alexandra Allonce, 19, of Valley Stream, as she eyed the statue from Battery Park.

“The Statue of Liberty is a sign of New York and independence.”

Article first appeared in the NYPost | Additional reporting by Georgett Roberts

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